Matt Roberts Group: Faith of My Own (2006)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

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Published: October 2, 2006

Guitarist Matt Roberts convened six people for Faith of My Own, a program of his own compositions, and he delivers a signature sound that reaches out to a broad audience: a large group that looks for inner feelings in everything that it confronts. Maybe that's a good reason for the links to the word "faith in the title and on the title track.

Roberts' ensemble combines the ethereal piano spirit of New Age with a down home blues guitar sensibility, a comfortable Brazilian wordless vocal charm and a hard-working mainstream jazz rhythmic foundation for an eclectic session that will turn heads. It's unique and original. And yet his music carries with it the tradition that we've encountered throughout our lifetimes.

Much of the program is informal. Roberts' themes ebb and flow with a natural ease. His guitar introduces "Here's to Sanity with a calm reflection that meanders into peaceful, lingering impressions. "21st Century Bohemian stands out for its contemporary and exciting approach to wordless vocal jazz. "Faith of My Own includes poignant lyrics that paint a lovely musical landscape, while "Lullaby simmers with dreamy overtures. "Where the Dancing Never Ends carries a Brazilian samba mood to the hip-hop bebopper, proving that Roberts' session has something to offer to everyone. It's quite a mix.

Track Listing: Lullaby; 21st Century Bohemian; Faith of My Own; Interlude; Where the Dancing Never Ends; Leo Carillo; Here�s to Sanity; �That Was Kinda� Cool.�

Personnel: Matt Roberts: guitar; Marco Luciani: piano; Andre de Santanna, Fernando Raio: bass; Sandro Feliciano: drums; Danny Taylor: percussion; Scott Peters: marimba; Bob Necksnapp: turntables; Kara Grizzell: vocals.

Record Label: Self Produced
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream